Archives for October, 2007

You’re telling me there is a no smoking law in Israel- what did you smoke?

by: Molly

Before I moved to Israel I was forewarned that I might become addicted to cigarettes. My friends informed me that everyone smokes; it is a cultural pastime that is literally addicting.

Turns out I don’t need to even light up a cigarette to smoke a pack a day- instead I just need to hang out in public places and get my free lung cancer from those breaking the law. Like almost everything in Israel, the No Smoking Law is not really enforced. It’s basically a recommendation that people decide not to take. Continue »

October 31, 2007 | If I ran Israel | 2 Comments

What? People live outside of Jerusalem?

by: Rebecca

Guest blogger Rachel currently lives in Haifa and gives The Big Felafel a new perspective on living in Israel. Did you know that busses run on Shabbat in Haifa? Did you know that the anglo group is called Hanglo which sounds a little funny? Just some of the things I imagine you would need to get used to, living all the way up there.

I am that girl who walks around looking a little lost. I am that girl you come up to and ask if she needs help. I am that girl that sits in a lecture taking copious notes, and taping everything with her brand new digital voice recorder. I am the one who comes home and tells her husband they told us this crazy thing X and it was either 9% or 90%, I couldn’t quite catch it, but isn’t that amazing?

Before I began my MA in social work in Israel I knew it would be different than America, and I knew it would be difficult – but I still didn’t know what to expect. So far, it is different and it is difficult, but there is a lot of good too.

I moved to Haifa to go to school and I am surprisingly among the minority of people in my class who live in Haifa . Most of them commute, even some from Jerusalem , my former safe haven of English speaking olim. Haifa is great for olim, if you are from Russia. Continue »

October 31, 2007 | Trying to fit in | 3 Comments

The Ultimate Felafel Photo Contest

by: Molly

felafel.jpg

It’s time for a contest. Let’s spice things up and add a felafel ball or two into our empty pita lives.

Announcing the big felafel’s 1st ever Felafel / Falafel Photo Contest to find the most creative felafel picture ever.

It’s time to get out there to your fave felafel stand, stuff yer face or someone else’s and take some funny pictures.

To participate, submit pictures of yourself, friends, family or strangers (with their consent- nothing shady) to win the ultimate felafel picture contest. All pictures will be uploaded to our website and carefully judged by felafel experts from around the world.

Start date: Now, what are you doing reading this? (October 28,2007)

End date: November 30, 2007 at midnight(Israel time)

Rules: Submit unlimited amount of felafel pictures to thebigfelafel@yahoo.com. You must include your first name, age, email address, where you are from, where the picture was taken, and a one line caption for each picture.

By submitting your pictures you give The Big Felafel consent to upload the pictures to our website along with your first name, age and location. Your email address will be kept private.

Winners: The Big Felafel team along with our felafel experts will pick three winners.

Prize: The only prize fit for a Felafel winner- A free felafel at Felafel King in Jerusalem, Israel.

October 28, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

A girl’s right to shoes

by: Rebecca

gazith.jpgAs Carrie from Sex and the City says, a girl has a right to shoes. So how come I couldn’t find a single pair in my size at Jerusalem’s biggest mall.

I was on a mission to find no-heeled, moderately comfortable black shoes under 300 shekels to wear to many social networking events this month (Deva, idrink, and wordcamp). Not an easy feat (ha).

I went to many stores and didn’t see anything I liked, because there’s basically 2 options- platform or wide Israeli style or some combination of the two. Things looked up when I entered Gazith and mustered up the courage to try on the sexiest shoes I might possibly ever own. They were perfect for under jeans, a decent price, and most important - no heel. (the boot featured here).

So, when the salesman asked for my size, Continue »

October 26, 2007 | Trying to fit in | 3 Comments

Lighters with a little light humor

by: Molly

political-lighters.jpg

One of the best ways to start your day is with a free newspaper delivered to your door. It all started about a month ago when the newspaper, Israel Today, appeared at my door step with no strings attached. At first I thought there was a mistake. Then I noticed all my neighbors had them too. Since then the paper continues to be my favorite part of the morning, a Hebrew challenge and taste into the news of real Israelis- no offense to Jerusalem Post readers. Continue »

October 25, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

Much love for the Choco in a bag

by: Molly

Shoko B’SakitMany people forget what an innovative country Israel can be. I am here to help you remember.

There is no doubt that Israel is the capital for high tech, after all you can’t scan Janglo without seeing a JOBOPP in the tech industry. In fact Israel invents big important military stuff that other countries buy from us all the time! Even the holy city, Jerusalem, is trendy with wireless internet throughout downtown. You know what that means; Facebook, YouTube and email can all be accessed on a park bench! Continue »

October 23, 2007 | Easily Amused | 2 Comments

Our first real fan!

by: Rebecca

baka.jpg

Going through my RSS feeds just now, I saw that the title of Baka Diary post today is “To” and “To” in Hebrew; and The Big Felafel and was obviously intrigued. Is getting giddy about these things acceptable for my online persona? I am having trouble understanding what Facebook Rebecca or blogging Rebecca can get away with vs. real-world Rebecca. Thank you for the kind words…

…..On another note, I took up Rebecca’s invitation and went to her and Molly’s blog, The Big Felafel (http://www.thebigfelafel.com). Listen up, everybody– READ THIS BLOG! . This is the blog I wanted to/wished I could have written about life in Israel. This is the best new blog (in English) in Israel, and may turn out to be the BEST blog in the Anglo community.

Why can’t I write like this? We won’t even talk about amazing graphics, links, etc…..

Check it out!

I first wrote about Baka Diary in this post. For more good reading, check out the Baka Diary blog. Did I make it to the blogroll?

October 21, 2007 | Easily Amused | 1 Comment

So you think you know Hebrew, watch this

by: Rebecca

rivi.jpg

After ulpan, the real Hebrew proficiency exam should entail watching funny TV shows like Hayisraelim and Ktzarim and seeing if you laugh at all the right places. No scantrons. No multiple choice. Just laughs. You can practice for this non-existent exam by checking out the Reshet Video Machine. This all-powerful video machine has many many Hebrew TV shows to choose from and loads incredibly fast. The best part - if you don’t get the jokes the first time around, you can watch an episode over and over and over again, and no one will know.

A little explanation about HaYisraelim. The show is composed of 5 or 6 skits that appear in every episode, but with a new twist. My favorite ones are the skits with the prime minister, the arsim in the mall, the worker who talks trash about her coworkers, the felafel stand, the couple with the baby, and the psychologist. The show has 3 main guys who play a variety of roles. I like to figure out which one is which character, but they are so good it’s hard to keep track.

If you come across more funny shows on the video machine, please share.

(Thanks Miriam for telling me about the site)

October 21, 2007 | Easily Amused, Videos | 1 Comment

All purpose Shabbat Elevator

by: Rebecca

Thanks to Life in Israel for making me crack up… I think this video clip is from the Israeli TV show, Ktzarim (shorts.. as in short skits, not the short pants). Unfortunately, the quality is not so great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr5DTEtxtUM

October 18, 2007 | Easily Amused, Videos | Leave a Comment

When the Internet dance fails, phone numbers and links for internet providers in Israel

by: Rebecca

bezek.jpg

It’s happened plenty of times by now. Feelings of helplessness and frustration start to take over as I realize the Internet stopped working and am all too aware of how dependent I am on it. Especially since I mostly work from home. But, no matter how much I disconnect the wires, reconnect, restart, repair, dance around doing the please-please-I’m-begging-you-to-work dance, there comes a point when the Internet refuses to cooperate and goes on strike to show solidarity with the teachers.

I know that as soon as I pick up the phone to call Netvision, the internet will start working, because that’s what happened before. As soon as my router/modem/wireless (who can remember the difference) hears Mr. Tech Support at Netvision, it shapes up and suddenly works. But I decided to pay extra attention this time so I could imitate the tech support’s soothing voice and avoid calling back ever again. And I noticed tapping on the keyboard. And tech support man confirmed my suspicions by saying he reconnected my internet. So apparently its not just the voice. As soon as I call, they identify my phone number and press the little button that says “Resume Rebecca’s internet, practical joke over for today” Is this normal? Are people calling all the time for this ‘reboot’?

Here’s some helpful info about internet providers in Israel (so I can keep it handy too). I have the Hot/Netvision setup with no dialler. I went through Netvision who organized the setup process with Hot. I did some research before selecting an internet provider, but they all ended up being roughly the same price. I’ve heard the good, bad, and ugly about each provider. So, if you’re just starting out and looking to pick an internet provider, the most effective method is to close your eyes, spin your finger around the screen and see which provider it lands on.

Netvision: *3031 or 1800-300-301

Barak: *013 or 1800.013.013

Actcom: 1800-300-123

Bezeq: 1800-014-014

Internet Gold(Smile): *2330 or 072-200-3600

Golden Lines: 1801-012-012

Hot: *6900

October 16, 2007 | Essentials, Wisdom Gained | Leave a Comment